Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I thank the Minister for those answers. I just wanted to indicate to the Minister, it says there is a process there and it concerns me that it doesn’t appear to be working, I guess not at this stage. Maybe I have to be here a little bit longer to see something moving, I guess, Mr. Chair. In terms of that, I just want to make the government aware that that is something that is concerning me. I don’t know if it needs reviewing or anything like that, but I know that the government does have a heart. They do see that need that I have been addressing for quite...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight had reviewed the Department of Finance and is pleased to provide the following comments.

The GNWT and NWT residents alike have experienced steep increases in insurance premium costs over the past few years driven primarily in the downturn in the worldwide insurance industry. According to information provided by the Department of Finance, GNWT insurance premiums increased by 57 percent from fiscal year 2001-02 to 2002-03. In early 2003, the department undertook a review of alternative ways to address...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I believe that some of the tenants are aware that if they do have rent problems, that there is a tenancy officer who they can deal with and bring their concerns to. But I was thinking of the Housing Corporation programs in general, Mr. Speaker. Is there an appeal process? I know our current housing act is very old, it’s from about 1978. I believe it’s time to review it. There’s just no room for an appeals system in that current structure. I would just like to get the Minister’s assurance that they will take the time to look at that act and review it and...

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. Perhaps the Minister can answer for me, when does the corporation expect to review some of the guidelines that currently exist to make it more reflective of the needs of today, of our constituents, and, indeed, of our clients who are using the Housing Corporation programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is time both the government and the Housing Corporation reviewed their financial policies and guidelines. Happy Valentine's Day and thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mr. Chairman, to rise and report progress.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk to you about the Housing Corporation mortgage guidelines. They aren’t making sense. I think it is time the Housing Corporation reviews them. Mortgage within the Housing Corporation is based on income. If your income goes up, your mortgage goes up. A constituent of mine has a mortgage with the Housing Corporation. Last year, the constituent was fortunate enough to receive an arts grant of $5,000 from this government, Mr. Speaker. This raised her income and her mortgage went up. My constituent went out and used the grant money to buy art supplies related...

I am satisfied with the answer, Madam Chair.

---Laughter

Thank you, Madam Chair. Recently, I was thinking about our revolving fund and how it is handled in Alberta. They actually set up an AADAC commission to actually address…I believe that their funds come out of liquor, gambling and those types of revenues. I was just wondering if it was time for our government to start looking at setting up a commission to address our alcohol needs that are out there. The question was, who pays for the advertising for the 1-800 numbers for people with addictions and treatment needs? I think it is time for our government to start looking at that particular...

That’s okay.